bravado
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C2 noun brəˈvɑː.dəʊ

bravado

Meaning
Show of courage or confidence that is not real.
Example
His bravado masked his nervousness before the performance.
C2 verb /bɪlk/

bilk

Meaning
To cheat or defraud someone of money or rights.
Example
The scammer tried to bilk elderly people out of their savings.
C2 noun /əˈɡrɒnəmɪst/

agronomist

Meaning
A scientist who studies soil management and crop production.
Example
The agronomist suggested new methods to improve rice yields.
C2 verb /əˈvaʊtʃ/

avouch

Meaning
to affirm or assert something as true
Example
He avouched his innocence before the judge.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːltˌfaɪndər/

faultfinder

Meaning
a person who habitually finds fault with others
Example
He is such a faultfinder that nothing anyone does is ever good enough.
C2 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd liːf/

Mustard leaf

Meaning
green leafy vegetable from the mustard plant; edible leaves used in cooking
Example
We cooked mustard leaf with fish in a traditional Bengali curry.
C2 verb /juˈzɜrp/

usurp

Meaning
to take someone's position of power illegally or by force
Example
The general tried to usurp the king's throne.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

indiscernible

Meaning
Impossible or difficult to see, notice, or distinguish.
Example
The difference between the two shades was almost indiscernible.
C2 noun /ɪˈluːʒən/

elusion

Meaning
The act of escaping or avoiding something, especially by cleverness or trickery.
Example
His constant elusion of responsibility frustrated his colleagues.
C2 noun /lɪnt/

lint

Meaning
small soft fibers that come off cloth, often found in dryers or on clothes
Example
There was lint all over his black shirt after the wash.
C2 noun /ˈʌŋɡwənt/

unguent

Meaning
A soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
Example
The doctor applied an unguent to heal the burn.
C2 adjective /ˌɪmpəˈmɪsəbl/

impermissible

Meaning
Not permitted or allowed.
Example
Such behavior is impermissible in the workplace.
C2 adjective /ˈkjʊərətɪv/

curative

Meaning
Able to cure disease or restore health.
Example
The doctor prescribed a curative treatment for the illness.
C2 noun /ˈvɛstmənt/

vestment

Meaning
a garment, especially a ceremonial or official robe worn during religious services
Example
The priest wore a golden vestment during the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˌmɑːhəˈrɑːdʒə/

maharaja

Meaning
A great king, especially a ruler of one of the principal states in India.
Example
The maharaja lived in a grand palace surrounded by gardens.
C2 verb /ˈmæsəˌreɪt/

macerate

Meaning
to soften or break up something, especially food, by soaking in liquid
Example
The chef macerated the fruit in wine before serving.
C2 adjective /pəˈrɛmptəri/

peremptory

Meaning
Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a commanding way.
Example
The officer gave a peremptory order to evacuate the building.
C2 verb /pərˈlɔɪn/

purloin

Meaning
to steal something, often in a sneaky or dishonest way
Example
He tried to purloin a book from the library without being noticed.
C2 verb /rɪˈmɒnstreɪt/

remonstrate

Meaning
To make a forceful protest or objection.
Example
Citizens remonstrated against the new tax policy.
C2 verb /ˈɔːltərˌkeɪt/

altercate

Meaning
to argue or dispute angrily or noisily
Example
The neighbors began to altercate over the boundary wall.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrkɔːrt/

forecourt

Meaning
an open area in front of a large building, especially a petrol station or hotel
Example
The car was parked in the hotel forecourt.
C2 adjective /ˌpluːˈpɜːrfɪkt/

pluperfect

Meaning
a verb tense expressing an action completed before another past action
Example
By the time she arrived, he had finished his homework, showing the pluperfect tense.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrdɪˈneɪʃən/

ordination

Meaning
The ceremony of conferring holy orders or official religious authority.
Example
The church held a special service for the ordination of new priests.
C2 adjective /dɪˈlɛktəbl̩/

delectable

Meaning
delicious or highly enjoyable
Example
The restaurant served a delectable meal.
C2 adjective /ˈvɛdʒɪtəl/

vegetal

Meaning
relating to or consisting of plants or vegetation
Example
The soup had a distinct vegetal flavor.
C2 noun /ˈrɛtɪnjuː/

retinue

Meaning
A group of attendants or followers accompanying an important person.
Example
The king entered the hall followed by his retinue.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.trɪ.tɪv/

nutritive

Meaning
Relating to nutrition; having nourishing qualities.
Example
The nutritive value of the fruit is very high.
C2 noun /ˌsɪɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

signification

Meaning
the meaning or sense conveyed by a word, action, or symbol
Example
The signification of the gesture was misunderstood.
C2 adjective /ˈlɔːdəˌtɔːri/

laudatory

Meaning
Expressing praise or admiration.
Example
She wrote a laudatory review of the new book.
C2 verb /bɪˈdræɡəl/

bedraggle

Meaning
to make something wet, dirty, and untidy by dragging it through mud or water
Example
The children came home bedraggled after playing in the rain.
C2 adjective /ˈvɛndɪbəl/

vendible

Meaning
Capable of being sold; marketable.
Example
Only vendible products were displayed at the trade fair.
C2 noun /ˈsɜːrtɪˌtjuːd/

certitude

Meaning
Absolute certainty or conviction about something.
Example
She spoke with certitude about the outcome of the case.
C2 noun /ˌdɪʃəˈbiːl/

dishabille

Meaning
The state of being only partly or loosely dressed; casual or careless attire.
Example
She answered the door in a state of dishabille, wearing just a robe.
C2 noun /ˈdeɪ.mæn/

day-man

Meaning
a worker employed by the day; a day laborer
Example
The farmer hired a day-man to help with the harvest.
C2 noun /ˌdeɪnuːˈmɒ̃/

denouement

Meaning
The final resolution or conclusion of a story, drama, or complicated situation.
Example
The novel's denouement was both surprising and satisfying.
C2 noun /ɡiː/

Ghee

Meaning
clarified butter used in South Asian cooking
Example
She used ghee instead of butter for cooking the rice.
C2 verb /əˈɡlɒməˌreɪt/

agglomerate

Meaning
To collect or form into a mass or group.
Example
The dust particles began to agglomerate into larger clusters.
C2 noun /ˌɛksɪˈkreɪʃən/

execration

Meaning
An act of cursing or denouncing someone or something with hatred.
Example
The dictator’s name was spoken with execration after his fall.
C2 adjective ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs

perspicacious

Meaning
Having keen insight and understanding; showing acute mental discernment.
Example
The detective's perspicacious nature helped solve the mystery.
C2 noun /ˌækwəˈpɒnɪks/

aquaponics

Meaning
A system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically.
Example
Aquaponics efficiently utilizes water by integrating fish and plant farming.
C2 verb /bɪˈkɑːm/

becalm

Meaning
to make calm or still; to deprive a sailing vessel of wind
Example
The captain tried to becalm the anxious crew.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

phytonutrient

Meaning
Chemical compounds produced by plants that are beneficial to human health but not essential nutrients.
Example
Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients that enhance immunity.
C2 adjective /ˈeksɪkrəbl/

execrable

Meaning
Extremely bad or unpleasant.
Example
The movie was so execrable that many people left the theater early.
C2 adjective /ˈsloʊθfəl/

slothful

Meaning
Lazy, idle, and unwilling to work.
Example
She was too slothful to get out of bed early.
C2 noun /ˈblʌfər/

bluffer

Meaning
a person who pretends to be more confident, skilled, or knowledgeable than they really are; someone who deceives others by bluffing
Example
Everyone eventually realized that he was just a bluffer with no real experience.
C2 verb /raɪv/

rive

Meaning
to tear apart violently
Example
The earthquake rived the ground in several places.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːpərˈæn.ju.eɪ.tɪd/

superannuated

Meaning
old and no longer useful or valid; retired due to age
Example
The factory was filled with superannuated machines that slowed production.
C2 noun /ˈsʊrmə fɪʃ/

Surma fish

Meaning
a freshwater fish species found in the Surma river system of Bangladesh and northeastern India
Example
Surma fish is native to the rivers of Sylhet region.
C2 verb /ˈrævɪʃ/

ravish

Meaning
To fill with intense delight; to captivate or enchant.
Example
The beauty of the sunset ravished the travelers.
C2 verb /ʌnˈfɛtər/

unfetter

Meaning
to release from restraint or restriction; to free
Example
The new law will unfetter small businesses from excessive regulations.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.kɒn/

ikon

Meaning
A religious image or symbol, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Example
The church displayed a beautifully painted ikon of the Virgin Mary.
C2 noun /ˈmaɪtər/

miter

Meaning
a tall, pointed hat worn by bishops; also a type of joint made between two pieces of material
Example
The bishop placed the miter on his head during the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈkɔː.seər/

corsair

Meaning
a pirate, especially one operating along the Mediterranean coasts
Example
The corsair plundered ships along the coast.
C2 noun /ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃər/

ligature

Meaning
A thing used for tying or binding tightly; in music/printing, two or more notes or letters joined together.
Example
The doctor used a ligature to stop the bleeding.
C2 adjective /ˈmiː.di.eɪ.tɪv/

mediative

Meaning
Related to mediation, helping to resolve conflicts through diplomatic means.
Example
His mediative skills helped resolve the conflict.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒrɪdʒəbl/

corrigible

Meaning
capable of being corrected or improved
Example
The student's mistakes were corrigible with practice.
C2 noun /tʊˈriːn/

tureen

Meaning
A large deep dish with a cover, used for serving soups or stews.
Example
She brought the hot soup to the table in a silver tureen.
C2 noun /ˈɪsməs/ or /ˈɪsθməs/

isthmus

Meaning
A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, often with water on either side.
Example
The Panama Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Panama.
C2 noun /ˈænɪ siːd/

Ani seed

Meaning
Small aromatic seeds used as a spice and for medicinal purposes, with a sweet licorice-like flavor
Example
Anise seeds are often used in traditional desserts and teas.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɜːrmənt/

interment

Meaning
The act of burying a dead body in a grave or tomb.
Example
The interment took place at the family cemetery.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɒs.stɪk/

Joss-stick

Meaning
a thin stick of incense that is burned for its pleasant smell, especially in religious ceremonies
Example
She lit a joss-stick in the temple during her prayers.
C2 adjective /ˈʌŋk.tʃu.əs/

unctuous

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily in texture.
Example
His unctuous tone made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 noun /tʃɜːrl/

churl

Meaning
A rude, boorish, or ill-mannered person.
Example
The waiter was such a churl that customers left unhappy.
C2 adjective /ˌnɒndɪˈskrɪpt/

nondescript

Meaning
Lacking distinctive or interesting features; dull and unremarkable.
Example
He lives in a nondescript apartment building on the edge of town.
C2 adjective /ˌæktʃuˈɛəriəl/

actuarial

Meaning
Relating to actuaries or their work of analyzing financial risk and uncertainty, especially in insurance and pensions.
Example
The company relied on actuarial reports to set insurance premiums.
C2 noun /əˈpɒθəˌkɛri/

apothecary

Meaning
A historical term for a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs.
Example
The village apothecary provided remedies for many common illnesses.
C2 noun /priˈɛmpʃən/

preemption

Meaning
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
Example
The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors.
C2 adjective /ˌʌn.təˈwɔːrd/

untoward

Meaning
Unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient.
Example
The meeting ended without any untoward incidents.
C2 noun /lɒx/

loch

Meaning
a lake or sea inlet, especially in Scotland
Example
Tourists visit Loch Ness to search for the legendary monster.
C2 adjective /ˈdekərəs/

decorous

Meaning
showing proper and polite behavior; marked by good taste
Example
The audience gave a decorous applause after the performance.
C2 noun /mɪˌsɛdʒəˈneɪʃən/

miscegenation

Meaning
the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types
Example
The law once prohibited miscegenation in many countries.
C2 noun /dɜːrdʒ/

dirge

Meaning
A mournful song, piece of music, or poem expressing grief, often for the dead.
Example
The choir sang a solemn dirge at the funeral.
C2 noun /ˈlev.ɪ.ti/

Levity

Meaning
humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect
Example
The levity in the courtroom was inappropriate.
C2 adjective /ˈbʊərɪʃ/

boorish

Meaning
Rude, insensitive, and lacking manners or refinement.
Example
His boorish behavior ruined the dinner party.
C2 adjective ˈmiː.ni.əl

menial

Meaning
Not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
Example
He refused to do menial work.
C2 noun /ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvər/

quicksilver

Meaning
Mercury; a liquid metal, or something that is quick and unpredictable.
Example
His mood was as changeable as quicksilver.
C2 noun /ˈkærəm/

Carom

Meaning
aromatic seeds of a plant used as a spice, especially in Indian cooking
Example
Carom seeds are often used in traditional Indian bread recipes.
C2 noun /mæn əv wɔːr/

Man of war

Meaning
a warship; a naval vessel equipped with weapons for warfare
Example
The man of war sailed across the ocean to defend the coast.
C2 noun /ˌfjuːzɪˈleɪd/

fusillade

Meaning
A series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession.
Example
The soldiers advanced under a fusillade of bullets.
C2 noun /ˌjuːnɪˈtɛəriən/

unitarian

Meaning
A person who believes that God exists as one entity rather than as a Trinity; a member of a religious denomination that emphasizes individual freedom of belief.
Example
The Unitarian church is known for its inclusive and open-minded approach.
C2 noun /əˌpɒθiˈoʊsɪs/

apotheosis

Meaning
The highest point of development; the perfect example of something; the elevation of someone to divine status.
Example
Many see the Renaissance as the apotheosis of art and culture in Europe.
C2 noun /ˈbuː.jɒ̃/

bouillon

Meaning
A clear, seasoned broth made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables in water.
Example
She added vegetables to the bouillon for extra flavor.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪz.ən.taɪn/ or /ˈbaɪ.zənˌtiːn/

byzantine

Meaning
Extremely complicated and detailed; relating to the Byzantine Empire or its style.
Example
The new tax regulations are so byzantine that few understand them.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːprəˈmʌndeɪn/

supramundane

Meaning
beyond the physical or ordinary world; transcendent
Example
The monk spoke of supramundane peace beyond material life.
C2 verb /ˈɛkskʌlpeɪt/

exculpate

Meaning
to show or declare that someone is not guilty of wrongdoing
Example
The lawyer worked hard to exculpate his client.
C2 adjective /ˈdʌlsɪt/

dulcet

Meaning
sweet and soothing (often used ironically)
Example
She was enchanted by his dulcet voice.
C2 noun /dɪˈbɔːtʃəri/

debauchery

Meaning
excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; corruption or vice
Example
The novel depicts the debauchery of the aristocrats in the city.
C2 noun /ˈætəvɪzəm/

atavism

Meaning
The recurrence of traits or characteristics from a remote ancestor.
Example
The scientist noted atavism in the child’s physical features.
C2 verb /əˈkriːt/

accrete

Meaning
to grow or increase gradually by accumulation or addition
Example
Dust particles accrete over time to form larger celestial bodies.
C2 adjective /ˈtræktəbəl/

tractable

Meaning
easy to control or influence
Example
The child was surprisingly tractable during the long journey.
C2 noun /ˈhæknɪ/

hackney

Meaning
a horse kept for ordinary riding or hire; also used for something overused or trite
Example
The old hackney was still pulling the carriage.
C2 verb /əˈvaʊ/

avow

Meaning
to openly declare or admit something, often publicly and firmly
Example
He avowed his loyalty to the cause without hesitation.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪdeɪt/

antedate

Meaning
to be earlier in time; to assign a date earlier than the actual one
Example
The manuscript antedates the modern printing press.
C2 noun /ˈæltruɪst/

altruist

Meaning
a person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Example
He is an altruist who always puts others' needs before his own.
C2 adjective /rɪˈflɛksəbl/

reflexible

Meaning
Capable of being reflected or bent back.
Example
The surface was highly reflexible, bouncing light in different directions.
C2 noun /ˌeɪd də ˈkæmp/

aide-de-camp

Meaning
A military officer acting as a confidential assistant to a senior officer.
Example
The general was accompanied by his aide-de-camp during the ceremony.
C2 adjective /veɪnˈɡlɔːriəs/

vainglorious

Meaning
Excessively proud of oneself or one’s achievements; boastful.
Example
The vainglorious leader boasted about his minor achievements.
C2 adjective /ɪˈpɪstələri/

epistolary

Meaning
Related to the writing of letters; expressed in or through letters.
Example
The novel is written in an epistolary style, consisting of letters between characters.
C2 noun /ˌbækəˈneɪliə/

bacchanalia

Meaning
A Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, drinking, and revelry; any occasion of wild and drunken revelry.
Example
The novel describes the party as a bacchanalia of excess and joy.
C2 noun /ˈtʌmbrəl/

tumbrel

Meaning
A two-wheeled cart, especially one used during the French Revolution to carry prisoners to the guillotine.
Example
The prisoners were carried to the square in a wooden tumbrel.
C2 verb, noun /ɡaʊdʒ/

gouge

Meaning
To cut or scoop out a deep hole or groove; to overcharge unfairly.
Example
He accidentally gouged a hole in the wooden table.
C2 noun /fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒi/

philology

Meaning
the study of language in written historical sources; linguistics
Example
She devoted her career to philology, researching ancient manuscripts.
C2 noun (plural) /ˈlɪniəmənts/

lineaments

Meaning
The features or distinctive characteristics of the face or body.
Example
The lineaments of his face were sharp and stern.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.mər.ə.bəl/

Numerable

Meaning
capable of being counted; countable
Example
The stars in the sky are not numerable.
C2 verb /ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/

putrefy

Meaning
to decay or rot, producing a foul smell
Example
The meat began to putrefy in the heat.
C2 noun, verb /əˈfrʌnt/

affront

Meaning
An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
Example
He took her criticism as a personal affront.
C2 noun /ˈflæt.ər.ər/

Flatterer

Meaning
a person who lavishes praise, often insincerely and in order to gain advantage
Example
The king was surrounded by flatterers who only told him what he wanted to hear.
C2 noun /dɪˌlæpɪˈdeɪʃən/

dilapidation

Meaning
The state of disrepair or ruin as a result of neglect.
Example
The old temple was in a state of dilapidation.
C2 verb /rɪˈvaɪl/

revile

Meaning
to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner
Example
The politician was reviled by the public for his corruption.
C2 noun /ˈfriːˌbuːtər/

freebooter

Meaning
A pirate or plunderer who roams freely in search of wealth.
Example
The freebooter raided the merchant ships along the coast.
C2 verb /ɪnˈθrɔːl/

enthral

Meaning
To captivate or hold someone’s full attention.
Example
The magician’s performance enthralled the audience.
C2 noun /dʒuːt/

jute

Meaning
a long, soft, shiny plant fiber used to make rope, bags, sacks, and coarse cloth
Example
Jute is widely used to make eco-friendly bags and ropes.
C2 adjective /ˈfæl.oʊ/

fallow

Meaning
Describing land that is left unplanted for a period to restore its fertility, allowing soil to recover nutrients and break pest and disease cycles.
Example
Farmers leave their fields fallow to restore soil fertility.
C2 noun /klɛərˈvɔɪəns/

clairvoyance

Meaning
the supposed ability to perceive events beyond normal sensory contact; psychic insight
Example
She claimed to have clairvoyance and predicted the future.
C2 adjective /ˈvɜːrdənt/

verdant

Meaning
Green with grass or other rich vegetation; lush and fertile.
Example
The hills looked verdant after the monsoon rains.
C2 noun /ˈvæləns/

valance

Meaning
A decorative drapery hung across the top of a window or bed.
Example
She chose a floral valance to match the curtains in her bedroom.
C2 noun /θiˈɒsəfi/

theosophy

Meaning
A religious or philosophical belief system that seeks direct knowledge of the mysteries of life and the divine.
Example
Theosophy attracted people interested in mysticism and spiritual growth.
C2 verb /əˈreɪn/

arraign

Meaning
to formally accuse someone in a court of law and ask them to respond to the charges
Example
The suspect was arraigned before the judge this morning.
C2 noun /ˈdɪktəm/

dictum

Meaning
A formal pronouncement, authoritative statement, or maxim.
Example
The judge’s dictum clarified the principle of equality before the law.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːdri/

tawdry

Meaning
cheap and showy but of poor quality
Example
She wore a tawdry necklace that broke easily.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈfɜːrnəl/

infernal

Meaning
relating to hell; extremely troublesome or annoying
Example
The workers complained about the infernal noise from the construction site.